When is the last frost in Zone 9a?

The average last spring frost in USDA Zone 9a is around 03/02 (NOAA 1991–2020, 50% probability), ranging 02/14–03/16 across the zone.

When is the first frost in Zone 9a?

The average first fall frost in Zone 9a is around 11/25, giving roughly a 268-day growing season.

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USDA Zone 9a planting calendar

In USDA Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around 03/02 and the first fall frost around 11/25, giving roughly a 268-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.

Last frost ~03/02 First frost ~11/25 ~268-day season 75 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 75 NOAA weather stations in Zone 9a (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 02/14–03/16, first frost 11/14–12/06. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 9a

Jan21 tasks Feb31 tasks Mar21 tasks AprBetween windows MayBetween windows JunBetween windows Jul1 task Aug8 tasks Sep6 tasks Oct2 tasks Nov2 tasks Dec13 tasks

What to plant now (November)

Onions

Start indoors

Garlic

Plant cloves (harvest next summer)

Next window: December

CabbageStart indoors Brussels SproutsStart indoors KaleStart indoors OnionsStart indoors LeeksStart indoors ParsleyStart indoors CollardsStart indoors CeleryStart indoors KohlrabiStart indoors

See all 13 crops for December in Zone 9a →

Supplies for November planting in Zone 9a

Picked for what is on this month's list here (Onions, Garlic). Reuse what you already have, and check sizes before ordering.

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All crops in Zone 9a

Crop	Start indoors	Transplant / sow	Sow for fall
Tomatoes	January 30 – February 6	March 6 – March 20	—
Peppers	January 19	March 9 – March 23	—
Eggplant	January 23 – February 6	March 13 – March 27	—
Basil	January 30	March 6 – March 20	—
Broccoli	January 12 – January 19	February 2 – February 16	August 16 – August 30
Cabbage	December 22 – January 5	January 26 – February 9	July 7 – July 21
Cauliflower	January 5 – January 19	February 9 – February 23	August 21 – September 4
Brussels Sprouts	December 29 – January 12	February 2 – February 16	—
Kale	December 22 – January 5	January 26 – February 9	August 26 – September 9
Lettuce	January 2 – January 9	January 30 – February 13	August 11 – August 25
Spinach	—	January 23 – February 6	September 20 – October 4
Onions	November 24 – December 8	January 26 – February 9	—
Leeks	December 1 – December 15	February 2 – February 16	—
Swiss Chard	January 5 – January 12	February 9 – February 23	—
Radishes	—	February 2 – February 16	October 5 – October 19
Turnips	—	February 2 – February 16	September 5 – September 19
Beets	—	February 9 – February 23	August 31 – September 14
Carrots	—	February 23 – March 9	August 1 – August 15
Peas	—	January 19 – February 2	August 26 – September 9
Beans	—	March 2 – March 16	—
Sweet Corn	—	March 2 – March 16	—
Cucumbers	February 13 – February 20	March 6 – March 20	—
Summer Squash & Zucchini	February 16 – February 23	March 9 – March 23	—
Winter Squash	February 16 – February 23	March 9 – March 23	—
Pumpkins	February 16 – February 23	March 9 – March 23	—
Melons	February 16 – February 23	March 9 – March 23	—
Okra	February 9 – February 23	March 16 – March 30	—
Potatoes	—	February 13 – February 27	—
Parsley	December 5 – December 12	February 6 – February 20	—
Collards	December 22 – January 5	January 26 – February 9	August 11 – August 25
Watermelon	February 16 – February 23	March 9 – March 23	—
Sweet Potatoes	—	March 6 – March 20	—
Celery	December 15 – December 29	March 2 – March 16	—
Kohlrabi	December 22 – January 5	January 26 – February 9	—
Artichoke	December 8 – January 5	February 23 – March 9	—
Asparagus	—	January 30 – February 13	—
Cilantro	—	March 2 – March 16	—
Dill	—	February 13 – February 27	—
Oregano	December 29 – January 12	March 2 – March 16	—
Sage	January 12 – January 26	March 2 – March 16	—
Thyme	December 29 – January 12	March 2 – March 16	—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 9a

Planted in fall after the first frost, for harvest the following summer — a separate calendar from the spring/fall-harvest crops above.

Crop	Plant cloves (fall)	Harvest
Garlic	November 29 – December 13	Following summer

Calendar computed 2026-11-09. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.